- Velana International Airport processed 1.62 million passengers in Q2, including 1.04 million international, 242,104 domestic, and 341,792 seaplane passengers.
- April saw peak traffic, with international arrivals hitting 18,924 on 5 April and seaplane traffic reaching 5,707 on 12 April.
- Seaplane operations led air traffic with 36,295 movements, while VIA handled 97.7 per cent of the nation's 1.3 million tourist arrivals.
Official statistics released by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) reveal that Velana International Airport (VIA) processed 1.62 million passengers across its facilities during the second quarter of the year. The comprehensive data published by the airport operator highlights sustained demand across international, domestic, and seaplane terminal operations, reinforcing VIA’s position as the primary logistical hub of the Maldives.
A detailed breakdown of the quarterly passenger movement confirms that international travel accounted for the majority of airport traffic, with 1.04 million passengers using VIA’s international terminal. Domestic flight operations served 242,104 passengers over the same period, whilst the airport’s dedicated seaplane facility catered to 341,792 passengers travelling to resort destinations across the archipelago.
The quarterly data highlights particularly high traffic volumes during the month of April. Scheduled international airlines recorded their highest single-day passenger arrival total on 5 April, transporting 18,924 individuals into the country. Seaplane operators experienced their peak traffic day shortly afterwards on 12 April, transporting 5,707 passengers through the terminal.
In addition to passenger numbers, MACL documented extensive air traffic movements across all three operational sectors during the second quarter. The airport logged 6,714 international air traffic movements alongside 5,957 domestic movements. Meanwhile, seaplane operations accounted for the largest share of flight activity, registering 36,295 individual air traffic movements throughout the quarter.
The vital role of the nation’s primary gateway is further supported by the latest arrival figures from the Ministry of Tourism. National records show that the Maldives has welcomed over 1.3 million tourists so far this year, with VIA directly handling 97.7 per cent of all foreign arrivals into the country.
